Can you do your own skin needling?

Author: Lesly Braun  |  Last update: Saturday, September 6, 2025

A dermatologist's microneedling device usually contains needles longer than those found in devices you can buy over the counter. This means that at-home microneedling is less effective than the kind done by a professional because you aren't creating as significant of an injury to the skin.

Is it safe to do your own microneedling?

Answer: No, you should see a licensed professional It is never recommended or effective microneedling at home. For safe and effective results, it is best to see a licensed provider to perform this service.

Can I do needling on myself?

Microneedling is a simple and straightforward process that you can do at home. But you must follow all standard safety and hygiene protocols to ensure your safety and avoid the risk of infection or damage. Not all at-home microneedling devices are created equal.

What is the difference between microneedling and skin needling?

Microneedling is a way of tricking your body into producing more collagen, specifically in a particular area. The skin needling treatment works by causing tiny pin pricks, or micro-injuries, to send a message to the body to produce additional collagen in order to repair the newly damaged area.

Do at home microneedling devices work?

Professional microneedling is more expensive than its at-home counterpart, yet it also offers greater results in terms of safety, efficacy and longevity. At-home microneedling can still provide excellent results if done correctly; however, it may need to be repeated more often than a professional treatment would.

Derma Pen! Don't do the same MISTAKE! KNOW HOW! Correct technique.

What is the average price of a microneedling session?

The average cost of microneedling in the US is about $640 per session, according to over 300 patient experiences on RealSelf. This can vary between $300 to $700, however, depending on: Your location: Prices may be higher in major cities or upscale clinics.

Which at home microneedling is best?

  • Best Overall: Beauty Bio Glopro At Home Microneedling Tool.
  • Best for Beginners: Stacked Skincare Microneedling Tool.
  • Best for Hair Growth: Act & Acre . 25mm Scalp Dermaroller.
  • Best for Dry Skin: Skin Gym Hyaluronic Roller.

Does needling tighten skin?

Providing more dramatic results than microneedling on its own, RF microneedling has been shown by researchers to be effective in tightening the skin on various body parts, including the face, neck, chest, arms, and stomach.

Which numbing cream is best for microneedling?

Lidocaine, Prilocaine & Epinephrine Numbing Cream

Once the anesthetic is applied on clean and dry skin it can provide effective anesthesia for microneedling as early as 15 minutes after application.

Why is dry needling illegal?

Dry needling is illegal in some states due to concerns about safety, training, and scope of practice. Regulatory bodies in these states argue that without standardized training, there is a higher risk of complications, such as nerve damage or infections.

How often should you do skin needling at home?

You can now treat yourself to a Dermapen microneedling pamper session from the comfort of your home as often as every week. We encourage this frequency because Dermapen microneedling at home should only ever reach depths of up to 0.5mm.

What is the best microneedling pen for home use?

Top Picks: Banisher 3.0

I recommend the Banisher 3.0 for at home microneedling for a few reasons: Optimal Needle Length: At 0.5mm needles, it is the optimal length for at home use being long enough to boost collagen and skincare absorption, and minimzing risks of scarring.

What is the downside of microneedling?

Skin damage is a risk that commonly occurs with microneedling devices. The damage may include bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling, and these typically go away without any treatment after a few days or weeks.

Is it better to microneedle day or night?

Myth: sun is the enemy of microneedling!

This is why we'd never recommend microneedling during the day. To keep your skin happy and healthy, always microneedle in the evening – this means your skin has the whole night to restore itself, and you can wake up to sensational skin.

Do microneedle pens work?

These tiny wounds stimulate collagen and elastin production, improve blood flow to the area, and deliver active ingredients in topical serums deeper into the skin (known as mesotherapy). Not only does Dermapen microneedling work, but it's also 100% natural because it stimulates the body's own rejuvenation function.

What not to do after skin needling?

For 3 days following your skin needling appointment:
  1. Avoid AHAs, BHAs, retinols, salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
  2. Switch to a gentle cleanser that has been recommended by your clinican.
  3. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen.
  4. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools and spas, strenuous exercise, sweating, and saunas.

Does microneedling lift jowls?

Both thread lifts and microneedling with RF energy can help gently lift your jowls and contour your jawline for a more youthful result, and we perform both in our office with no downtime afterward. A thread lift may provide a more dramatic result that's a good choice for severe sagging.

Do dermatologists recommend at-home microneedling?

Like all cosmetic treatments, microneedling is a medical procedure. To protect your health and safety, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends seeing a medical doctor who has expertise in treating the skin and performing cosmetic treatments, such as a board-certified dermatologist. This session is essential.

Is there anything better than microneedling?

Both microneedling and chemical peels can help to rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, however, for deeper wrinkles, Dr. Green may recommend adding Botox or dermal fillers to your treatment plan.

Can I do microneedling by myself?

This means that at-home microneedling is less effective than the kind done by a professional because you aren't creating as significant of an injury to the skin. However, the shorter needs of at-home devices make them a bit safer for non-professionals to use.

How long is 1 session of microneedling?

A treatment session itself only lasts between 20 and 30 minutes depending on how many areas need to be treated. However, you must wait for the numbing cream to take effect and have your treatment area disinfected. Expect to spend at least an hour or two from start to finish.

Why is micro needling so expensive?

Health devices (such as a microneedling pen) are quite expensive, usually on the order of thousands of pounds, and the people who buy them have to make the money back. This drives up the price of the procedure. It also creates a price difference because providers don't use the same quality or type of pen.

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